New Delhi, Oct 4 (NationPress) Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is set to embark on a two-day journey to India commencing on October 8, following an invitation from PM Narendra Modi, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday.

This marks Prime Minister Starmer's inaugural official visit to India.

As per the MEA, during the visit, on October 9 in Mumbai, the two Prime Ministers will assess advancements across various sectors of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aligned with 'Vision 2035', a focused and time-bound decade-long roadmap for programs and initiatives in crucial areas including trade and investment, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate and energy, health, education, and cultural relations.

Both leaders will interact with businesses and industry figures regarding the prospects offered by the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a vital element of the future India–UK economic partnership. They will also share insights on matters of regional and global significance, as stated by the MEA.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi and Starmer will participate in the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, where they will deliver keynote speeches. The leaders will also engage with industry specialists, policymakers, and innovators on the sidelines of the event.

The visit is expected to capitalize on the momentum and substance initiated by Prime Minister Modi's trip to the UK on July 23-24, 2025. It will be a significant chance to reaffirm the shared ambition of India and the United Kingdom for a progressive partnership, according to the MEA.

PM Modi and Starmer previously met at the UK Prime Minister's residence at Chequers in Buckinghamshire, where they engaged in both one-on-one and delegation-level discussions.

They welcomed the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which elevated the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new level, significantly boosting bilateral trade, investment, economic collaborations, and job creation in both economies.

The two sides also agreed to negotiate a Double Contribution Convention, effective alongside the CETA, which facilitates professionals and service industries in both countries by fostering competitiveness and lowering business costs for commercial entities.

Highlighting the increasing cooperation in capital markets and financial services, Prime Minister Modi emphasized in July that both sides could enhance interaction between GIFT City in Gujarat, India’s inaugural international financial services center, and the UK's dynamic financial ecosystem.

Furthermore, the leaders endorsed the finalization of a Defence Industrial Roadmap to promote collaboration in co-designing, co-developing, and co-producing defense products to address the rising demand in both nations and the global market. They expressed satisfaction with the strengthening of the defense and security partnership through regular engagement of their armed forces.